Light Winding Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage is described. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. The apparatus may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc. The apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to winding and storing of Christmaslights, electrical cords, and the like, and more particularly to anapparatus for the ordered winding and unwinding of Christmas lights,electrical cords, and the like, wherein a single apparatus is reusablefor multiple strands of lights

2. Background and Related Art

One of the major chores of the holiday season is the placing of holidaylights on the house, tree, etc., followed shortly thereafter by theremoval and re-storage of the holiday lights. Many people find itdifficult to adequately wind and store the holiday lights, along withany associated electrical extension cords, in a rapid and convenient waythat prevents entanglement. For example, if lights that have beenremoved from a house, internal or external tree, etc. are not carefullystored, they may tangle. As is well known, tangled holiday lights areparticularly difficult to untangle because of the many protruding lightbulbs that tend to catch on one another and prevent easy untangling.

Therefore, many people try to be careful when removing and storing theirholiday lights. However, even when being careful, many people find itdifficult to properly wind and store their lights so as to preventtangles. In addition, many people find it time consuming to properlywind and secure their holiday lights.

These and other problems in storing holiday lighting are often forgottenfor months on end, until the stored holiday lights are retrieved fromstorage for the next year's holiday lighting display. At that point,many people, even those who took the time to carefully store theirholiday lights, find it difficult to unwind or otherwise re-deploy theirholiday lights. It is common for even the most carefully-wound lights totangle during re-hanging, simply as a matter of how the light strandsare unwound from the looped configuration in which they are typicallystored. In some instances, the tangling can be so bad that individuallight bulbs are damaged, or that the strand becomes unusable and must bereplaced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of the invention provide a light winding apparatus thatmay be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, andthe like for compact, convenient, and organized storage. The lightwinding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strandsof lighting and the like. Implementations of the invention may also beused to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly orientedmaterials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc.

Although it is possible to store a wound light strand on the variousimplementations of the light winder apparatus, the apparatus is designedto allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so thatthe apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands. Inthe case of using the light winder apparatus for unwinding wound lightstrands, the apparatus may be actuated to receive a wound light strand,secure the wound light strand, and then unwind the wound light strand inan orderly fashion. The light winder apparatus is therefore highlyuseful and reusable for winding and unwinding light strands, addressingmany of the issues encountered in using and storing light strands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a light windingapparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,illustrating a thumb button and a rotating jaw;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, furtherillustrating the rotating jaw;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, furtherillustrating the rotating jaw;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,illustrating a rotating handle;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,illustrating features of a fixed jaw;

FIG. 8 provides a side perspective view of the fixed jaw of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.1, illustrating additional features of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 illustrates a closer bottom perspective view of a fastenerstorage area;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of alight winding apparatus;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 witha handle rotated 180 degrees from the view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11with the handle in the position of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11with the handle in the position of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be givenwith reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present inventionmay take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure isintended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of theinvention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention provide a light winding apparatus that maybe used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and thelike for compact, convenient, and organized storage. The light windingapparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands oflighting and the like. Therefore, in the following description and inthe claims, the term “light strand” is used in an illustrative sense,and should be interpreted to mean any type of cord, strand, etc. that aperson might find it desirable to wind for storage and/orunwind/redeploy after storage, including extension cords, strands ofholiday lighting, strands of icicle-style holiday lighting, strands ofLED lighting, etc. It will also be readily understood that embodimentsof the invention may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deployother similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords,wires, garlands, etc.

Although it is possible to store a wound light strand on the lightwinder apparatus, the apparatus is designed to allow releasing of thewound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may bere-used for winding additional light strands. In the case of using thelight winder apparatus for deploying wound light strands, the apparatusmay be actuated to receive a wound light strand, secure the wound lightstrand, and then deploy the wound light strand in an orderly fashion.The light winder apparatus is therefore highly useful and reusable forwinding and unwinding light strands, addressing many of the issuesencountered in using and storing light strands as discussed above.

FIGS. 1-10 show perspective views of a light winder apparatus 10. Theapparatus 10 includes a handle 12 and a body 14. The handle 12 may beergonomically formed to be comfortably held by an average human hand,and the ergonomic forming may also improve a grip of the handle 12 sothat a person holding the apparatus 10 by the handle 12 easily maintainsa secure grip. The body 14 of the apparatus 10 is attached to the handle12, and may be selectively rotatably attached to the handle 12, as willbe discussed below. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, thebody 14 is generally elongate and may have a cross-sectional height andthickness to allow the body 14 to be comfortably grasped by an averagehuman hand. As may be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1-10, theconfiguration of the handle 12 and the body 14 allows the apparatus 10to be stored in a substantially-flat, space-saving configuration.

In at least some embodiments, the handle 12 is attached to the body 14at a location offset from the center of the body 14. In otherembodiments, the handle 12 may be attached at a midpoint of the body 14.In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10, the handle 12 is attached to the body14 at one end of the handle 12. In other embodiments, the handle 12 maybe attached to the body 14 at or near a midpoint of the handle 12.

As previously mentioned, the body 14 may be elongate. At one end of theelongate body 14, a fixed jaw 16 is attached to the body 14. At theother end of the elongate body 14, an openable jaw 18 is attached to thebody 14. The openable jaw 18 permits the apparatus 10 to be used to winda light strand and then permits the apparatus to release the wound lightstrand so that the apparatus 10 can be re-used to wind additional lightstrands as needed. In addition, the openable jaw 18 permits theapparatus 10 to be used to receive and secure a previously-would lightstrand for unwinding the light strand when the light strand is to beused or used again.

The openable jaw 18 may include a fixed jaw member 20 and a moveable jawmember 22. As may be appreciated, only one jaw member needs to bemoveable to allow the openable jaw 18 to open, although the samefunctionality may be achieved if both jaw members of the openable jaw 18are moveable jaw members 22. In addition, it will be readily appreciatedthat the functionality of the apparatus is maintained in embodimentswhere both jaws are openable jaws 18 (i.e. where the fixed jaw 16illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 is replaced with another openable jaw 18.

A description of the use of the apparatus 10 will now be provided. Whena user desires to wind a light strand using the apparatus 10, the userwishes to wrap a first winding or two around the apparatus 10 (with theopenable jaw 18 in the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, ofcourse). While it is possible for the user to simply hold the first fewwindings of the light strand on the apparatus 10, the apparatus 10 maybe provided with features to assist in this operation. Specifically, alight strand channel 24 may be provided to one or both of the jaws. Oneembodiment of the light strand channel 24 is best visible in FIG. 7. Asis commonly known, many light strands do not have a circular crosssection, but either have multiple individual strands, or have aflattened cross section. Therefore, the light strand channel 24 may beconfigured to receive and secure a light strand. More specifically, thecross-section of the light strand channel 24 may include a narrowopening having a width of, for example, approximately four millimeters,with a broader inner portion of the light strand channel 24 having awidth of, for example, approximately six millimeters. This channelconfiguration allows a user to twist or flex the light strand to passthrough the narrow opening and be relatively securely held within thebroader inner portion.

Thus, to wind a light strand, the user need not hold the end of thelight strand while making the first few windings of the light strand.Instead, the user may insert a portion of the light strand near and endof the light strand into one of the light strand channels 24, and maythen release the light strand, knowing that the light strand will besecured within the light strand channel 24. As may be appreciated, whilethe light strand channel on either jaw of the apparatus 10 may be used,it will typically be easier to remove the light strand from theapparatus if only the light strand channel 24 on the fixed jaw 16 isused. This is because removing the light strand from the light strandchannel 24 is easier after some slack is provided to the wound lightstrand by opening the openable jaw 18 and releasing one end of the woundlight strand from the apparatus 10. Of course, this consideration is ofless importance for embodiments with two openable jaws 18 instead of onefixed jaw 16 and one openable jaw 18.

Once the light strand is secured in the light strand channel 24, theuser can wind the light strand around the apparatus 10, with the lightstrand resting within the jaws during the winding operation. If anentire light strand is wound around the apparatus 10 and room remains inthe jaws, the user may elect to continue winding one or more additionallight strands on the apparatus 10 until the jaws are full, such as byplugging in an end of the second or third light strand into the plug ofthe light strand already wound on the apparatus. When the entire lightstrand (or light strands) is wound on the apparatus 10, the user cansecure the wound light strand in the wound configuration, may open theopenable jaw 18, and may remove the wound light strand from the openablejaw 18 and then the fixed jaw 18.

As may be readily appreciated, it is desirable that the wound lightstrand remain in the wound configuration when it is removed from theapparatus 10. Therefore, as set forth above, the wound light strand isoptionally secured in the wound configuration before it is removed fromthe apparatus 10. Any number of means may be used to secure the lightstrand in the wound configuration, including twist ties, cable ties,elastic securing means, strings, ropes, etc., and one of skill in theart will readily recognize the many different means for securing thatmay be used besides those specifically enumerated herein. Typically,there is enough room between the body 14 of the apparatus 10 and thewound light strand to pass the securing means between the wound lightstrand and the body 14, allowing one or more securing means to besecured before the wound light strand is removed.

Alternatively, a securing means channel 26 may be formed in the handle14 or even within the fixed jaw 16 to receive a securing means to assistin securing the wound light strand in the wound configuration. Thesecuring means channel 26 is best visible within the fixed jaw 16 inFIG. 7. When the securing means channel 26 is located within the fixedjaw 16, it may have a substantially-smooth curved configuration, toallow a securing means, such as a twist tie or cable tie to be insertedinto one end of the securing means channel 26, and to be pushed throughthe securing means channel 26 until it exits the far end of the securingmeans channel 26. In embodiments of the fixed jaw 16 having both thesecuring means channel 26 and the light strand channel 24, the securingmeans channel 26 may be deeper than the light strand channel 24, so thatthe operation of pushing the securing means through the securing meanschannel 26 may be performed even when the light strand is secured in thelight strand channel 24, and even when the light strand is in its fullywound configuration on the apparatus 10.

In some embodiments, the securing means channel 26 may be formed so asto secure the securing means, whereby the securing means may be pushedthrough the securing means channel 26 before the light strand is woundon the apparatus 10. For example, the securing means channel 26 may havea cross section with a narrow opening and broader inner portion similarto the cross section of the light strand channel 24. By way of exampleonly, the narrow opening of the securing means channel 26 may have awidth of approximately three millimeters, while the broader innerportion of the securing means channel 26 may have a width ofapproximately seven millimeters. In some embodiments, the broader innerportion of the light strand channel 24 may be approximately circular incross section to provide more room for the light strand, the broaderinner portion of the securing means channel 26 may have a flat bottom toguide the securing means as it is pushed through the securing meanschannel 26.

Whether the light strand is wound on the apparatus 10 before or afterthe securing means is passed through the securing means channel 26, thesecuring means may secure the light strand in the wound position beforethe wound light strand is removed from the apparatus 10. As discussedpreviously, the wound light strand may be removed from the apparatus toallow winding of additional light strands by opening the openable jaw18. While the openable jaw 18 may open by any means known in the art,such as by having one jaw member be removable, by having one jaw memberbe hinged, or by having one jaw member be otherwise moveable so as to beout of the way of removing the wound light strand, the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-10 includes the moveable jaw member 22. The moveable jaw member22 is moveable in the manner illustrated by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The moveable jaw member 22 is normally locked into itslight-strand-securing position so that it does not inadvertently releasethe wound light strand before it is desired to do so. In someembodiments, the moveable jaw member may be spring-loaded or otherwisebiased into the locked position. The moveable jaw member 22 may bereleased from its light-stand-securing position by any number ofmethods, such as by pressing a release button on the body 14. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the moveable jaw member 22 isreleased by grasping the moveable jaw member 22, such as at thumb pads28, and by pulling downward (i.e. in a direction to broaden the openablejaw 18). Once the moveable jaw member 22 is pulled downward, it may berotated in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4 until it reaches theposition of FIG. 5. Once the moveable jaw member 22 is in the positionof FIG. 5, the wound light strand may be easily removed from theapparatus 10 in the manner discussed above.

As may be appreciated, when the wound light strand it to be used again,it may be placed on the apparatus 10 in the position of FIG. 5, and theopenable jaw 18 may be closed in reverse fashion to that describedabove. After the openable jaw 18 is placed in its light-strand-securingposition, the apparatus 10 may be used to unwind the light strand forre-use of the light strand. Because the light strand is unwound insubstantially the same way that it is wound, the number of tangles arereduced, and unwinding becomes a simpler issue using the apparatus 10.

Embodiments of the apparatus 10 may incorporate additional features toassist in the winding and unwinding operations. For example, asmentioned above, the handle 12 may be attached to the body 14 via arotatable connection. With a rotatable connection, the user may simplyhold on to the handle 12, and either rotate the body 14 or allow thebody to rotate 14 (such as in the case of unwinding the light strand) tospeed the winding/unwinding procedure. In addition, a finger hole 30 maybe provided at a distal end of the elongate body 14, such as on thefixed jaw 16, to assist with winding. The finger hole 30 is best visiblein FIGS. 8 and 9. The user may insert his or her finger or thumb intothe finger hole 30, and may then more easily rotate the body 14 or moreeasily control the speed of rotation during unwinding. If the handle 12is connected to the body in a position offset from the center, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the user is thereby able to apply moretorque with less force at the finger hole 30 than if the handle 12 wereconnected at the midpoint of the body 14.

Rotation of the handle 12 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In some embodiments,it may be desirable to make the handle 12 lockable in one or morepositions, such as the two positions in line with the body. This isparticularly illustrated with respect to the illustrations of analternate embodiment of the apparatus 10 as depicted in FIGS. 11- 14.FIGS. 11 and 14 illustrate the handle 12 in a first locked position(with the handle 12 extending toward the openable jaw 18), while FIGS.12 and 13 illustrate the handle 12 in a second locked position (with thehandle 12 extending toward the fixed jaw 16). To control locking andunlocking of the handle 12, a thumb button 32 or other releasing devicemay be provided on the handle 12 or body.

The thumb button 32 or other releasing device may be selectivelyslidable into one of two positions (released and locked) and may remainin the selected position without action by the user. Alternatively, thethumb button 32 may be biased to the locked position, and mayautomatically return to the locked position unless the user maintainspressure on the thumb button 32. Further alternatively, the thumb button32 may be biased to the locked position, but may be augmented by aselector that holds the thumb button 32 in the released position whenactivated. When the thumb button 32 is released or moved to the releaseposition, the handle 12 may immediately lock its position, or it mayallow the body 14 to rotate until the handle 12 and body 14 are in line,and then the handle 12 may lock. Using the selectively rotating handle12 and the finger hole 30, easily controlled rotation of the body 14 maybe achieved.

The body 14 provides a location that may be used to provide storage,such as a securing means storage 34 for storing twist ties or othersecuring means. The securing means storage 34 may be covered by astorage lid 36. The securing means storage 34 and storage lid 36 areshown in close up in FIG. 10. The securing means storage 34 and storagelid 36 may be placed at any convenient location on the body 14, or evenin the handle 12.

Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate the materials that maybe used to make the various components of the apparatus 10. Withoutlimitation, such materials include plastics, metals, composites, and anyother suitably durable and strong material. Additionally, differentmaterials may be used for the different components, and the materialsmay be mixed as desired for functional and stylistic purposes.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An apparatus for winding light strands, comprising: a body having afirst end and a second end; a first jaw attached to the body at thefirst end; a second jaw attached to the body at the second end, whereinthe second jaw is an openable jaw for releasing light strands after theyhave been wound on the apparatus without removing a portion of theapparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additionallight strands and for unwinding wound light strands; and a handleattached to the body between the first jaw and the second jaw.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the body is elongate between the first jawand the second jaw.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first jaw inan openable jaw.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle isattached to the body at a midpoint of the body.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the handle is attached to the body at a location offsetfrom a midpoint of the body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thehandle is rotatably attached to the body.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the handle is selectively rotatably attached to the body.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein the handle is selectively fixable at tworotational locations relative to the body.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8wherein the two rotational locations are in-line with the body.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the second jaw comprises: a fixed jawmember; and a moveable jaw member, wherein the moveable jaw member isselectively moveable to open the openable jaw.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises alight strand channel configured to receive and secure a light strand topermit the light strand to be wound around the apparatus.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a securing means channelconfigured to receive a means for securing a light strand, wherein themeans for securing a light strand is inserted into the securing meanschannel and is secured about the light strand wound on the apparatus.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the securing means channel islocated in the first jaw.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a securing means storage located on the body.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a finger hole located on one ofthe first jaw and the second jaw for rotating the apparatus duringwinding and unwinding light strands.
 16. An apparatus for winding lightstrands, comprising: an elongate body having a first end and a secondend; a fixed jaw attached to the elongate body at the first end; anopenable jaw attached to the elongate body at the second end forreleasing light strands after they have been wound on the apparatuswithout removing a portion of the apparatus so that the apparatus may bere-used for winding additional light strands and for unwinding woundlight strands; and a handle selectively rotatably attached to theelongate body between the fixed jaw and the openable jaw.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the openable jaw comprises: a fixed jawmember; and a moveable jaw member, wherein the moveable jaw member isselectively moveable to open the openable jaw.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the fixed jaw further comprises: a light strandchannel within the fixed jaw configured to receive and secure a lightstrand to permit the light strand to be wound around the apparatus; anda securing means channel substantially perpendicularly crossing thelight strand channel within the fixed jaw and configured to receive ameans for securing a light strand, wherein the means for securing alight strand is inserted into the securing means channel and is securedabout the light strand wound on the apparatus.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the moveable jaw member is configured to open theopenable jaw by being pulled downward and rotated.
 20. An apparatus forwinding light strands, comprising: an elongate body having a first endand a second end; a fixed jaw attached to the elongate body at the firstend comprising: a light strand channel within the fixed jaw configuredto receive and secure a light strand to permit the light strand to bewound around the apparatus; and a securing means channel substantiallyperpendicularly crossing the light strand channel within the fixed jawand configured to receive a means for securing a light strand, whereinthe means for securing a light strand is inserted into the securingmeans channel and is secured about the light strand wound on theapparatus. an openable jaw attached to the elongate body at the secondend for releasing light strands after they have been wound on theapparatus without removing a portion of the apparatus so that theapparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands and forunwinding wound light strands, the openable jaw comprising: a fixed jawmember; and a moveable jaw member that is selectively moveable to openthe openable jaw; and a handle selectively rotatably attached to theelongate body between the fixed jaw and the openable jaw.